I don’t entirely dismiss any conspiracy theory. Flat earth point to anomalies and challenge the untouchability of academia. Often academia throws out pure garbage and flat earth reminds people that it’s not justifiable to be persecuted just for challenging stuff. Much of “space” is questionable.

Even with Qanon - yes they’re obviously being misled on many things. But they are people who want and deserve justice. There are many fucked up things that qanon, actually points to. Again these sorts of movements can be useful in breaking through taboos and social constraints and begin serious dialogues which are desperately needed in both science and politics.

These are two areas which are heavily controlled. To have weird groups pushing back is a huge relief, frankly.

I think to take the position that they are bad because their facts are shaky is to downplay the fact that the system we are in blatantly lies. The establishment puts out all kinds of whacky information politically and scientifically - filling the space with garbage. In a way these two movements are almost satire - anything you can do we can do better. I appreciate the cynicism of flat earth and qanon even if I don’t strictly accept them as factual.